Kar, I love to experiment too, and I think it is great, you made a product you actually liked. Could you possibly make salted chocolate caramels out of it? I love salted caramels. I buy chocolate w/ the salted caramel taste. Buy some Baker's Chocolate, melt it in w/ the cheese concoction, then cool it on a cookie sheet w/ parchment paper. Cut it in squares, and there you have it. Would be wonderful to wrap it in wax paper, put in small bags and give it as gifts for Christmas.

I have made many experiments, that didn't turned out well. I don't talk about the ones, that ends up in the garbage. But one never know, unless one tries.

tt is right. You are definitely a Pioneer Woman. LOLDo what your heart feels is right; you will be criticized anyway. - Eleanor Roosevelt

Absolutely, I "made" salted caramel chocolates yesterday by dipping chocolate into the molten goodness. I could definitely make them for gifts; they'd not be for the candy faint of heart, tho - super bold flavors.

I have plenty of experiments that end up in the trash!

Sun just came out here...it's been cloudy and cool. Car thermometer said 70 an hour ago...bet it's climbing, now.

Just came back from S & S. We needed paper towels and coffee pods for the office. It was mobbed. Never have I see them that busy, even on a Saturday afternoon. ALL their registers were open. They usually only have a couple open plus the self check outs. They must be minting it - Dunbar was there.

It is actually pretty nice out now. A little windy, but nice. and it always help, when the sun is out.

Do what your heart feels is right; you will be criticized anyway. - Eleanor Roosevelt

A few minutes before my hunger takes over and I have to make some breakfast. Wonderful day yesterday. He's a man of his word and was here promptly at 9:30. After clipping Cheerio's nails for me (and her!) and cleaning out my little pond a little, we were off. Boy, I wish I could post pics of his gardens. Each year he extends them out a little more into the grass area, adds a bubbling fountain or two, and his property is filled with the sound of the water, birds splashing in the fountains, and the smell, oh the wonderful heavy smell of those white lilies. In the corner of the property an apple tree is sporting several apples starting to turn red.

We ate on their patio that is roofed, have to find a different name for it, because it actually is an extension of the house, looking out on all this and I felt like I was sitting on the veranda of a southern plantation! Partner had fixed a delicious meal of couscos, bright colorful salad, and grilled chicken, topped off with a trifle of angel food cake, pudding, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and of course cream. They have traded their piano in and the newer one has such rich deep tones. Loved sitting there and listening to G.T. play. Beautiful music that made me so happy, I could feel tears coming, but I blinked them back, and just said quietly to myself, "Thank you, God."

Mid afternoon we went kalooping at a couple of antique places, and what finds. They found 3 Hitchcock stamped chairs and I bought a captain's chair seated with a soft red leather. Perfect for a spot in my kitchen for sitting when I'm on the phone. In another shop I found a children's book of rhymes, stories, and whatnot. I bought it with the intention of giving it to pumpkin's mom to read to the boys, but first I'm going to enjoy it, and may just keep it for myself as a coffee table book.

As I watched them and everyone around us texting, I had to agree with them when they said, the social media of your forums page is a dinosaur now. It is, and maybe sooner rather than later I'll have to give myself a boost into this newer generation and way of communicating.

tt, I blinked away tears myself at your description of your beautifully blessed day with GT and partner. He sure does show why he has that nickname, and we wish we could see the ever expanding gardens, as well. Partner sounds like a gourmet chef.

as for texting, I was being left out of family news because I didn't have a cell plan that covered texts. I took the plunge a month or so ago and love it. I still make calls and email, but it's nice to bop back and forth for a minute and done. I text a photo to the whole family, for instance, and enjoy instant two or three word responses, all it needs, really. Makes the miles disappear completely. I resisted, but, like the saying goes, resistance is futile, lol. ;)

DH is out with Gracie and the smell of poached liver hangs in the air. We were out of treats, and you never know when a moose or bear might require a really yummy reason to go immediately back to Daddy's side. So, I bought chicken livers for a buck yesterday and cooked them this morning. Got 3 more days of treats from it, too.

Not stuffed at all now despite the big indulgence yesterday so off to make myself some breakfast.

Not much happening here this weekend, but we like it quiet, and we had a blast out last night. We don't get out much, as they say, lol. I'm looking forward to SIL's party next weekend and am already parading out the bathing suits to pick my current favorite. Bathing suits stress me out!

Pingo, how did the accounting go at the office yesterday? Hoping it's all under control and you can relax today.

whats going on with the kids, Nov, Rama, Winter? Thinking of your DS's saying goodbye to his friend, Winter.

What a lovely day you had out West yesterday, tt. We all need a day like that once in a while. Beautiful description of the extended garden and wonderful lunch. And some entertaining too. I can just imagine your tears. One happy mom - no wonder, you felt like thanking God. We don't have a garden like GT. But we have our deck filled w/ flowers, and we enjoy sitting there overlooking our woods (we have conservation land in the rear), listening to the birds and the nature. Such a great way to start our mornings. Congrats on your new chair. Sounds lovely. But knitting AND on the phone at the same time? How is that possible?

Your dinner out last night, sounded scrumptious, Kar. 1300 plus calories? I hope you didn't count them, while enjoying the dinner. TX DS makes some mean smoked ribs. But now, that I don't eat meat, I will just have to enjoy the smell of them.

Had a short note from UKS. He reached Barcelona. He is joining a cousin, her husband and their two boys, who is stopping there after their cruise.

Did a lot of work yesterday. Today I am going in to do payrolls for the two weeks I am gone. Coming along, so I can take off with a good conscience. It looks like it is going to be a cloudy, showery day anyway - so not much lost.

Have a good Sunday everyone.Do what your heart feels is right; you will be criticized anyway. - Eleanor Roosevelt

Reports of Memory Loss"FDA has been investigating reports of cognitive impairment from statin use for several years. The agency has reviewed databases that record reports of bad reactions to drugs and statin clinical trials that included assessments of cognitive function.

The reports about memory loss, forgetfulness and confusion span all statin products and all age groups. Egan says these experiences are rare but that those affected often report feeling “fuzzy” or unfocused in their thinking"

Ha, Pingo, no - I planned in advance to go well over budget. I don't worry about it because there are plenty of days I'm under; I keep my "average away from budget" pretty close to zero.

Isn't there anyone at work you can delegate to? Seems you half kill yourself getting ready to leave and then, again, upon your return. If retirement is the plan maybe start putting someone under your wing and let them have the reigns to test their readiness while you and DH are still working?

We just picked two tons of tomatoes and other veggies for a big batch of soup I'll make tomorrow. Maybe too many toms for soup and I'll can a batch of sauce...we'll see.

Taking a breather. Just finished putting decorations on my son's birthday bag. Still to be decoupaged. Did one side with "Happy Birthday" and appropriate sayings, pictures of cake etc., and the other put his name at the top and then the individual things that relate to him personally, pics and sayings - even found a pic of Spam ! Hardest thing to find was a beer pic. Had tossed any M.B. flyers I had, so no beer ads, finally found a couple of glasses filled in a Vegetarian magazine ad for a festival.

Had visitors this morning, both Harry and Fluff. Harry was not interested in eating, more to hide under the shrub and then under the ornamental grass next to the pond. Hope he's not catching my little frogs.

You are not going to know what to do with yourself when you finally do semi retire, Pingo. Such long hours you and DH put in. Week-ends are for relaxing. I agree with Kargiver, you practically knock yourself out before being able to get away for a vacation.

Comfortable day to be picking from the garden, Kargiver, at least it's comfortable here. I'm craving something sweet now. Maybe I'll find something I can concoct from the freezer, or make up some jello. I do have some unfrosted half moons - maybe two of them put together with a little vanilla ice cream - which I bought in case the boys were coming here for the day yesterday - have a good frozen dessert recipe using the ice cream and using up chunks of a blueberry coffee cake I had made, combines with fresh sliced peaches incorporated and peach jello, and of course the old stand by, Cool Whip. That's for another day tho, when someone is coming.

So what does the rest of your day look like, Kargiver. Other than make up the bed I stripped this morning, nothing on the docket here.

The bag sounds great, tt! Yes, gorgeous day for working in the garden here, too, cloudy and cooler. If DS likes a heavier beer, a nice gift imo is a special four pack of Spencer Trappist Ale made by the monks a few towns away from us...it's expensive, but for a bd present for a beer lover I think it would be a nice surprise and big treat. Very smooth for the style. Not that you need more of a present, per se, just something that crossed my mind when you mentioned the beer pics for the bag.

Cats go for frogs? Gracie tries to play with them; it doesn't go well from the frogs' perspective.

Not much going on here, either. I chopped a bunch of veggies for a salad for lunch and made a dressing with a Good Seasons packet and my own "recipe" of vinegar, honey, and oil.

Just got off the phone with SS. Had put the last bite of my ice cream sandwich I made into my mouth and the phone rang. Good timing. Her DH is coming along. Drove for the first time in a month yesterday.

I've got to put a coat of the mod podge on the bag and let that dry, then refill it with the goodies again, and get the card and money together or I'll go off and forget that.

Made up the brown rice and mushroom skillet dish, along with a baked chicken breast with crumbs on top, for supper. Try not to have my heavy meal at nighttime, but I ended up with a salad this noon. Got carried away with the rice dish, and made enough as I would if G.T. and partner were here - have enough to last me all week! I like it but not that much.

Went to make up the bed and no bottom sheets, so now I'm waiting for the washer to run its course.

Feels as tho it's warming up. Been so busy with this project all day that I haven't caught any news or weather.

Meant to mention when SS called, where did I sit? You've got it - right in my newly purchased chair. Very comfortable, just my size. I feel like one of the 3 bears, trying out different chairs, but this one is "just right".

Greetings friends. What a lovely day you had with G.T. and partner, I totally get almost crying. The pride you must have, he is such a good son to you. Did they like their bags? Pingo, I agree with what Kar and tt said, you need to get someone in there to assist you and not stress yourself out before and after your trip.

Yesterday DH and I went to Kohls to get a few things he needs for the cruise. Today I brought DS shopping and we got him another dress shirt and tie, and pants. Also got him shoes (mainly for school) and the items on his school supply list. I started packing my suitcase.